Stable: How small is too small?

[TakeNoRoses]

I'm trying to plan my yard, with space constraints. I will have two 12x12 stables and a 14x12 field shelter. I have 4 horses so would like to be able to convert the field shelter to two stables in emergencies. Would 7x12 be too small for 1x13hh & 1x14hh ponies, both 5'6 rugs? They live out 24/7 365, but would like the option and field shelter can't go bigger. :/

 

[Dancing_Diva]

Personally I wouldn't want my 13.2 new forest pony in a 7x12 stable even if just for emergencies!

I have a large field shelter that I converted into two stables. Each stable is 10 x 12ft, I couldn't imagine taking 3ft off one of them and making it into a smaller stable for my Shetland let alone anything bigger. But then I like mine even my Shetlands to have enough space to move around comfortably/lay down/turn round without any issues.

 

[PonyclubmumZ]

Hi, its not ideal but I think its fine for emergencies/odd night before a show etc. Showing my age here but I remember when only horses had loose boxes and ponies had stalls and were tied up at night. If its your only option and its for occasional use and they have access to a field the rest of the time I think its ok.

 

[TakeNoRoses]

That's what I'm thinking, that it will just be *too* small. It's frustrating that I have the chance to start from scratch but can't have exactly what I want. I never stable them at the moment, but would really really like the option just in case. Argh. Doesn't look like it'll happen.

 

[CazD]

I would keep things as they are. Two ponies will happily share the field shelter together without being locked in if the weather is awful and two others in the stables. You can always swop them around every 12 hours or so, so that two are out and two are in. We do this as we have four horses but only three stables and a field shelter.

 

[willhegofirst]

When I first got my lad he was about 13.2 in a 8x13 stable, I moved him when he had grown to 15.1hh he still managed, but it was not ideal so a 7x12 for a 13hh or 14hh in an emergency should be ok I would have thought.

 

[wills_91]

If they get on well I would be more inclined to have it so you could just shut them both in together.

 

[PollyP99]

As above, I also had my mare in a 8x13 stable for a while and she's in a 6'3" rug and is 15h, she could lie down and seemed not to mind. She's now got a 11x12 and it feels roomy,just as well she's on box rest now and not before!

 

[Enfys]

If they get on well I would be more inclined to have it so you could just shut them both in together.

This ^^^

 

[WelshD]

Stables at shows are often 8x8 and house all sizes of equines but they do get very mucky very quickly and its not a lot of space for any real amount of time.

 

[TakeNoRoses]

14hh can be nervy with others if loose and 13hh is a tad pushy with her because of that. They get on fine loose and will eat together, but wouldn't want to shut them in together without a partition.
It's going to have a rail down the middle in any case so 14hh can 'hide' the other side (she likes this) and a gate on the front, so it's just a case as to whether I get removable slats in the back so I can close it if I need stables. Normally it would be open at front and back so they couldn't get trapped and have access to shelter all the time.
I suppose I should just do it since I'll basically have the set up anyway and then if it's too small don't use it.

 

[splashgirl45]

I had my 15.2 warmblood cross (who takes a 6ft 3 rug) in a 13ft x 9ft 3in stable for many years, she was fine. she is laying across the 9ft 3 part

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I have two 20 x 10ft stables and one of those is on occasion, shared by a 12h and 13h who get on very well. I also have the three of them loose in a byre but that is a lot bigger.

 

[Fiona]

Hubby thinks our 11.2 pony's stable is 11 x 8 and its really quite roomy for him

I will try and remember to pace it out in the morning.

Fiona

 

[conniegirl]

Stables at shows are often 8x8 and house all sizes of equines but they do get very mucky very quickly and its not a lot of space for any real amount of time.

I've never seen a show stable less than10ft by 10ft, I certainly wouldn't put anything over 12hh in an 8x8!